You may recall that in October 2011 I came back from the Surrey International Writer’s Conference with a bunch of requests for the Aeden's Wake manuscript and ended up signing on with one of the agents I pitched. Well, it is my sad duty to report that we’ve parted ways. What happened? In short, I think we share the responsibility. She cooled on the project based on my reluctance to make every change she suggested; there were many good ideas, but some of the bigger ones took my work in directions that did not meet my vision. I erroneously assumed that she would approach publishers when I had made the revisions and was happy with the final product, while she planned to go on submission only after all the changes were made and only if she was satisfied with them. I should have asked better questions. Our mutual error was, I think, in not letting go sooner: birds in the hand, perhaps. So, the new year launches me back into the querying and pitching game. (Yikes.) I know it will be a slog with moments of heartbreak, but I’m not dreading it as much this time. This time around should be easier – at least in terms of the process, if not the success – because I know what to expect, how to pitch, and can focus my efforts even more. Also, with the new novels written and another begun, my regular column work and some freelancing keeping me busy, and starting a creative writing MFA in the fall, I’m also starting to realize how importance patience is to the writing game. Good things are happening: I just need to keep working hard towards my goals. It’s also exciting to read the experiences of other writers and that the agent-author relationship can be more than about a single manuscript. I realize that this post might scare off agents who are looking to represent a work at a time – and to an extent I get that, we have to start somewhere – but am also hoping that it might excite the ones who would be willing to look at a bright career in the making. For myself, as I jump into the next round of querying and pitching, here are my thoughts on “Finding an Agent, Part II”:

I will ask more and better questions right from the start.

I will pay more attention to any sign of hesitation from myself or a potential agent. We have to be excited together.

The excitement must endure throughout the process, even if publishers reject the work. I have much material and a future to offer, and my agent must be on board with that.

Communication is key. My agent has to reach out to me at least as often as I reach out to him. Not excessively, of course, but I need to feel like I’m an asset.

My agent should represent me and my work, not just the manuscript. I want to be excited about putting the next project in her hands, and she has to be excited about the next project.

My agent should comment on my blog posts, follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page, and brag about me openly. I will do the same.

I will be wary of an agent who insists on extensive editing. Editing will be necessary, but in the end, he has to trust my skills enough to know when to say enough and not hold the manuscript hostage.

My work will stand or fall on its own merit and my vision, even if – especially when – I try new things. It’s a tough market, yes, but it’s starving for innovation and quality too.

I hope it doesn't scare anyone off, but I have to be true to my aspirations too. Onwards and upwards!